Getting Started Part 1: Break down the "Diet" walls

I had originally written a post about nutritional facts and labels, but decided to save that for later and instead dive into getting started; the basics about living a healthy lifestyle.

Let's begin first with some common food misconceptions:
You have to be on a diet to be healthy.
You can't eat the foods you want.
You can't drink adult beverages.
You can't enjoy your food.
Healthy food doesn't taste as good and unhealthy food.
Healthy eating is more expensive.

Let's break this misconceptions down into realities:

First things first - Take the word CAN'T out of your vocabulary.  You CAN do whatever you want.  You are the one in control and making the choice.  

Diets:  Not a word I truly care for because most of the time it is only a TEMPORARY change and not something you will actually stick with.  You must make a decision for your health and well-being to make better food choices....Let me help you:  YOU MATTER.  YOU ARE VALUED.  YOU ARE LOVED.  Believe this because it's true!  Now is the time to take that step!

The foods you love:  Okay, let's be honest, if you know me well... you know I love food.  Dips are a special weakness along with pasta, pizza, oh I can keep going.  Oh yeah I'm part italian can you tell?  :)   I can still enjoy those foods.  I just have to once again, be conscious.  Control the food don't let the food control me.  It is okay to indulge every now and then, but if you expect to live that healthy life then you've got to choose when you are going to indulge and when you are going to "behave".

Adult beverages:  I like LOVE to have a glass of wine while I'm cooking pasta or after a stressful day at work. When it's hot I like to enjoy a cold beer or two.  That's okay!  I just have to make a choice as to where those extra calories I am using are coming from.  If I know I want extra calories for a glass of wine I try to plan ahead.  I cut back on a snack or make sure I burn extra calories in my workout.

Healthy food doesn't mean boring.  Some of the best food I have tasted has been "healthy".   We will talk about ways to jazz up your food and mix and match your meals so that you are never bored.  Healthy also doesn't mean SALAD every day of the week.  If you like salads that's great!  Sometimes you just want a steak.  I'm not one of those people, but I have plenty of "carnivore" friends.  (I am more of a 'chick-i-vore').  Don't worry, you can have your steak and eat it too!  :)

Healthy food is more expensive:  Have you checked out your local farmer's market lately?   There are many budget friendly options that work for all income levels.  Chris and I go to Sprouts (It's like a grocery farmers market) and spend around 20.00 for fruits and veggies that last us almost 2 weeks.  Yes, this can vary depending on what we need or are cooking that week, but if your budget is really tight you get what's on sale and plan your meals around that!

Alright!  Challenge for the week:
Take a look at the food you have at home and what you are eating on a daily basis.  What changes can you make?  Start with little changes.  Instead of chips for a snack could you buy reduced fat?  Could you swap for a piece of fruit?  A little change can make a HUGE difference.  Share your changes with me!

A couple fun apps/websites you may enjoy:
My Fitness Pal -counts calories and workouts
Hungry Girl- gives advice on swapping out foods.  She has a TON of recipes.

If you would like to hear an extremely powerful message on change click here:  http://www.newhopechristian.org/2013/06/
The title of the Message is Wish #2 A Transformational Life